Happy New Year! We are grateful to God for all his grace and faithfulness in 2017 and we are so thankful that we can expect his mercy and faithfulness each and every day of 2018 (Lamentations 3:21-23; Hebrews 4:14-16).
Chris and I celebrated 21 years together this December and are so thankful to be doing life together!
Chris is serving in his 9th year as lead pastor of Bethel Baptist Church. Most of his free time is spent throwing a football with the kids, reading to the family (it’s like radio theater!), meeting the family for one of our child's sporting events, or taking out the next child in line for a “daddy-daughter date” or “dude-time” (with the boys). He works hard to try and keep our dates regular too!
Beth is staying busy being the "bus driver" (now with Hannah’s help!), leading Women’s Ministry at church, coaching volleyball, and substitute teaching. On the side, when time permits, she loves to paint. She has also slowly been working at remodeling rooms in the house, one at a time. She's keeping Chris on his toes with an ongoing “honey do“ list. She is ever so thankful that he is the ultimate handyman!!!
With all that activity, this is often how we feel:
With all that activity, this is often how we feel:
She still loves volleyball and basketball, enjoys singing on our worship team at church, could eat fried pickles and drink bubble tea for days, is a great big sister, worked hard all summer as a nanny, and hopes to attend Wheaton College in the Fall to study elementary ed.
Sam (15) is in his sophomore year.
Sam loves football -- playing for the Lions and watching the NFL, especially the Steelers. He's not the only fan in the family:
Sam also loves theater and got to play a dream role this year as the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz.
Lily (13) is in 7th grade.
She's creative and witty, considerate and tender-hearted. She loves the outdoors, animals, insects, birds, flowers, the sky and the stars. She and her two younger brothers are regularly found exploring and making little habitats for the wide variety of interesting critters they find. Lily has an eye for beauty and received a camera for Christmas. She looks forward to honing her photography skills in the coming year.
Jono (10) is in 5th grade.
Along with his love for football, Jono also loves to read, drink coffee (whenever we'll let him), build with Legos, and play with his siblings. For his age, he's conscientious and responsible and has a soft heart.
Ben (6) is in 1st grade.
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| The "I'm 6 years old" pretzel! |
Ben is a ball of energy, 110% boy! Being a gym rat comes pretty naturally and he can usually be found running around in Jono's shadow. His reading has taken off this year, opening up a whole new world. He enjoys school and is growing up way too fast. His siblings all love him to the moon and back and give him special attention. The benefits of being the caboose!
We enjoyed a couple of wonderful family vacations this year -- one to Niagara Falls for Spring Break and one to Vermont for summer vacation.
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| Real life hiking candid. Anyone know where Ben is? Probably about to dive bomb from above. |
From our crazy family to you and yours, we wish you a blessed New Year! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all.
Sincerely in Christ,
The McGarveys
